MATCH INFO

Russia wins European clash and finishes first in Pool C

Outside hitter Oleg Tsentalovich (17) was the match top scorer

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, August 3 – Youth and Junior second world-ranked Russia assured the first position of Pool C of FIVB Men's Junior World Championship by oudueling Germany 3-1 (25-20, 24-26, 25-23, 25-23) at Maracanazinho Gymnasium, in Rio de Janeiro on Wednesday.

Already qualified for the second round, Russia reached nine points in Pool C, leaving behind India, with six, Egypt, with three, and Germany, with zero. Russian and Indian remain in Rio de Janeiro fighting for the medals while Egypt and Germany move to Niteroi, where they will play for 9th to 16th positions.

In the second round, Russia will be in Group E, joining Spain, its first rival, next Thursday, at 12:30, and two teams to be defined (first placed in pool A and second placed in pool D). India composes Pool F as well as Argentina, the second placed of Pool A and the winner of group D.

In the All-European clash the top scorer was Russian outside hitter Oleg Tsentalovich, with 17 points, while teammate Igor Filippov added 14 to his side. German opposite Paul Sprung also scored 14 points.

Russia started the match unfocused and gave the German some points in errors, allowing the rivals to have a 7-4 lead. Germany's domination ended when Tslentalovich spiked to score 11-10. The same Tsentalovich improved the advantage to 20-16 and, in the end, wing spiker Leonid Shchadilov closed the set 25-20.

The second frame was marked by several turnarounds. The Russian started better, but Germany reacted to score 9-8 with Sprung. Russia took the lead again and looked like going for a safe win with an 18-12 advantage. In an amazing reaction, the German made 24-21 with some block points and a couple of counter attacks of outside hitter Tom Strohbach. Then, it was time to Shchadilov score two points in a row and tie the match at 24. However, the same Shchadilov spiked out of bounds to give Germany a 26-24 win.

After its first set lost in the tournament, Russia took the lead of the third frame and scored 8-5 with middle blocker Alexander Safonov. They managed the lead until the end of the set, when a couple of point serves of German Georg Klein sent the rivals ahead 23-22. A ball won by Filippov in the net and a mistake of Germany assured Russia´s win 25-23.

Russia kept the control of the match in the fourth partial and a second ball of setter and captain Dmitry Kovalev gave the team 16-13 in the second technical timeout. A few moments later, Russia tough block increased the lead to 19-14. Germany reacted, but could not avoid the defeat and the last point of the match was a wrong serve from Oskar Klinger: 25-23.